Fluffy cat breeds are a sight to behold. Anytime a fluffy kitty is out in public, you’ll see people taking their phones out to take photos and videos.
If you envy friends who own fluffy cats, we don’t blame you. To help you pick the best fluffy kitty to join your family, we have rounded up the most popular fluffy cat breeds in the world.
Our quick take: The fluffiest breeds are the long-haired ones (Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Persian, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, Ragamuffin), plus a few short-haired breeds with dense, plush coats (British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair). For the easiest grooming, pick a semi-longhair with a silky coat such as the Ragdoll or Ragamuffin; Persians need daily combing. Flat-faced Persians and Exotics can have breathing and eye problems, several breeds should be screened for heart (HCM) or kidney (PKD) disease, and we don't recommend Scottish Folds, because the gene that folds their ears causes a painful bone and cartilage disease.
10 Most Popular Fluffy Cat Breeds
Ragdoll
Breed size: Large
Weight: 10 to 20 lbs
Temperament: Docile, extremely affectionate
Grooming requirements: Low to moderate
The Ragdoll is one of the most popular fluffy cat breeds due to its beautiful, luxurious coat and sweet, affectionate demeanor. If you want a cat who loves cuddles and enjoy spending time with you, this is the fluffy cat breed for you.
While some cats don’t like being handled most of the time, Ragdolls are known to tolerate being handled quite well. This lap cat seems to crave the attention of humans.
According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), these very chill cats can be taught how to play fetch and come when called. Ragdolls are so gentle that they rarely extend their claws during playtime.
The fluffy and silky coat of the Ragdoll is fairly easy to maintain. It is a semi-long coat with little undercoat, which makes them relatively low-maintenance. To keep their fluffy, super soft coats in good condition, simply comb their fur at least twice a week with a steel comb. This will prevent mats and remove loose cat hair. They will need extra grooming during shedding seasons.
Overall, the soft, fluffy, and super sweet Ragdoll is great for first-time cat owners, families with gentle children, or if you just love fluffy cats. Ask breeders about screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease seen in the breed. See our full Ragdoll cat breed guide.
Maine Coon
Breed size: Large
Weight: about 8 to 18 lbs (some males exceed 20 lbs)
Temperament: Docile, affectionate
Grooming requirements: Moderate
The Maine Coon is often called the gentle giant among domesticated fluffy cat breeds. This extra large ball of fluff is also sweet and affectionate, just like the Ragdoll.
Unlike many domestic long-haired cats, the Maine Coon is said to have evolved naturally, as opposed to being fine-tuned through selective breeding by humans. The physical characteristics of this popular breed all serve a function that contributes to their survival.
The Maine Coon has shaggy, long fur, and a bushy tail that keeps it protected from the cold. This cat has well-tufted paws that allow them to walk on top of snow despite its weight. Just like their paws, their ears are also well-tufted for warmth.
While their huge size can be intimidating, they are also often described as “dog-like” in personality. These gentle giants love spending time with their owners. Many Maine Coons are fascinated by water and like to paw at it, though that doesn't mean every Maine Coon enjoys a bath. Responsible breeders screen for HCM, hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
This long-haired cat has a slightly oily coat. However, they are self-maintaining cats so grooming is fairly easy. The Maine Coon still requires occasional / weekly brushing, which is well-tolerated and even enjoyed by them.
Also Read: Best Cat Foods For Hairballs Control
Persian
Breed size: Medium
Weight: 9 to 13 lbs
Temperament: Docile, even-tempered
Grooming requirements: High
The Persian is another popular pet among fluffy cat breeds. It is known for its long, thick coat and flat face. White Persians are especially popular for their striking blue eyes. They are a calm and gentle breed, known for their affectionate nature and love of attention.
These cats are playful yet thrive in homes that give them a calm and serene environment. As such, they are highly recommended for those who live a more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. That said, Persians are known to adapt to more boisterous households once they feel secure and loved.
One of the most distinctive features of the Persian cat is its long, thick fur. This fluffy coat requires regular grooming to maintain its luster and prevent tangles. As fluffy cats, Persians have a heavy, dense undercoat and a long, soft topcoat, which gives them their fluffy appearance.
Persian cats are prone to developing mats in their coat, so it's important to comb them daily to prevent this from happening. They also need occasional baths to keep their fluffy coats clean and beautiful. They must always be combed out before bathing.
It is recommended that pet parents get their Persians used to regular grooming and bathing at an early age. This will prevent stressful situations for both the cat and the owner. They require significantly more grooming than an ordinary house cat.
The Persian's flat face can cause breathing problems, runny eyes and dental crowding, so look for a breeder whose cats have a less extreme face, and ask for a negative DNA test for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is common in the breed.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Breed size: Large
Weight: 9 to 16 lbs
Temperament: Independent, affectionate
Grooming requirements: Moderate
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a stunning ancient breed with a long, thick coat that is well suited to the cold, harsh climates of their native Norway. They are a large, fluffy cat breed with strong, agile legs and athletic build.
While they are often confused with fluffy cats Maine Coons due to their size and appearance, the Norwegian Forest Cat has a more independent personality than their American counterpart. While they are affectionate, like many cats they will give their humans affection on their terms.
This fluffy breed is intelligent and curious. You will need tall cat towers or scratching poles for this big kitty. They are also quite social and enjoy the company of their human family, but they do not require constant attention and can be left alone for short periods of time.
One of the most striking features of the Norwegian Forest Cat is its long, fluffy coat. The coat is dense and water-resistant, helping to protect the cat from the elements. You will need to comb their fur every week, and more frequently during shedding season.
Norwegian Forest cats come in most coat colors with the exception of the colorpoint colors which are commonly seen in the Siamese cat.
Overall, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a beautiful, intelligent, and affectionate breed that is well suited to a variety of living situations. They are a great choice for anyone looking for a loyal and loving feline friend.
Siberian Forest Cat
Breed size: Medium to large
Weight: about 8 to 17 lbs
Temperament: Playful, affectionate
Grooming requirements: Moderate to high
The Siberian Forest Cat is a medium to large fluffy cat breed with a triple coat, a sweet-looking face, and a muscular body. They are known for their intelligence, playful personalities, and affectionate nature.
Siberian Forest Cats are curious animals. They love to go on adventures and enjoy playtime even well into their adult years. These social felines enjoy the company of their human families as well as other pets. However, they can be a bit reserved around strangers.
The strikingly beautiful Siberian Forest Cat can have eyes in green, gold, and copper. Some white cats can have piercing blue eyes. These fluffy cats can also have two different colored eyes. They have a dense, water-repellent triple coat and a dramatic ruff that protects them from the cold Siberian winters. The Siberian’s fluffy coat comes in all colors and combinations.
Despite their triple coat, the Siberian’s fluffy coat tends to remain free from tangles. That said, they require weekly brushings to prevent mats. It is also recommended that they be given occasional baths to keep them clean. Siberians that have been bathed as kittens will enjoy bathtime.
This fluffy cat breed is believed by many to be hypoallergenic due to the lower-than-average occurrence of FelD1 in their saliva. FelD1 is a protein complex found in cats’ saliva which many people are sensitive to. However, levels vary a lot from cat to cat, and no cat breed is truly hypoallergenic, so people with cat allergies should spend time with the actual kitten before committing. See our guide to hypoallergenic cat breeds.
If you want an extremely playful cat that has kitten energy for the rest of its life, you will truly enjoy the company of a Siberian Forest cat. Just make sure that you provide your kitty with scratching poles, cat towers, and lots of toys to keep this curious cat entertained.
Ragamuffin
Breed size: Medium to large
Weight: 10 to 20 lbs
Temperament: Docile, friendly, extremely sweet
Grooming requirements: Low
The fluffy cat breed Ragamuffin is an incredibly beautiful cat with large, expressive eyes. It has a soft and luxuriously silky coat that you’ll want to touch all day, every day. And believe it or not, it will happily let you pet all your troubles away.
True to the “rag” part of its name, many Ragamuffins relax and go floppy when you pick them up, much like the Ragdoll it was developed from. The Ragamuffin is a very trusting breed. As such, it is highly recommended that they be kept indoors at all times.
The friendly and docile Ragamuffin is suitable for most homes. They do well in laid-back environments as well as in households with children. They get along well with kids and other cats or other animals.
The soft and fluffy coat of the Ragamuffin is tangle-resistant and only requires weekly combings to prevent tangles and remove loose fur. These cats come in all coat color combinations, including pointed colors.
British Shorthair
Breed size: Medium to large
Weight: 7 to 17 lbs
Temperament: Calm, fiercely loyal, adaptable
Grooming requirements: Low to moderate
The oldest of the British cat breeds, the British Shorthair is said to be descended from the domestic cats of the Roman Empire. It was once prized for its strength and hunting abilities. Today, the breed is beloved for its super cute, cuddly appearance, round faces, large, expressive eyes, and quiet nature.
These cats have thick and plush coats that keep them warm despite their short length. Due to their dense, silky coats, British Shorthairs may leap onto your lap but will probably not stay for too long, especially during hot days.
This fluffy cat has super soft fur that needs a weekly combing to keep it mat-free. More frequent combing sessions are needed during shedding seasons.
The British Shorthair is a slow-maturing breed. They reach full maturity at three years of age. There is a significant size difference between males and females. Adult females have an average weight of 7 to 12 lbs, while males weigh between 9 to 17 lbs.
British Shorthairs are generally sturdy cats that often live into their mid-teens, but the breed can be affected by HCM and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), so ask breeders about screening. They also gain weight easily, so watch portions.
Scottish Fold
Breed size: Medium
Weight: 6 to 13 lbs
Temperament: Sweet, friendly, playful
Grooming requirements: Low to moderate
Famous for its ears that fold forward, the Scottish Fold is known for its “pixie”, “owl’, or “teddy bear” appearance. However, not many people know that not all Scottish Folds have folded ears.
According to the CFA, the folded ear is produced by an incomplete dominant gene and is the result of a spontaneous mutation. The fluffy kittens are born with straight ears. If the kitten inherits the mutation, its ears will fold at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Those without the mutation will have ears that remain straight throughout their lives.
An important health warning: the same gene variant that folds the ears also affects cartilage and bone throughout the body. Every folded-ear cat has some degree of osteochondrodysplasia, which can cause painful arthritis, a short, stiff tail, and lameness, and there is no cure. Breeding two folded cats together causes severe disease. Because of this, the UK's GCCF stopped registering the breed in the 1970s, FIFe does not recognize it, and the RSPCA considers breeding them unethical. If you love the look, consider adopting a straight-eared cat or a different plush breed such as the British Shorthair.
The Scottish Fold is descended from barnyard cats. They have sweet facial expressions and are not very vocal. They love spending time with their human family members. They adjust well to different types of households, as well as other pets.
The Scottish Fold comes in two types of coats: shorthair and longhair. The shorthair variety needs minimal grooming with just once or twice weekly combing. Long-haired Scottish Folds need to be brushed 3 to 4 times a week.
Also Read: Best Foods For Indoor Cats
Exotic Shorthair
Breed size: Medium
Weight: 9 to 12 lbs
Temperament: Mellow, calm, prefers quiet households
Grooming requirements: Low to moderate
The Exotic Shorthair is famously known as “the lazy man’s Persian”. While it is a separate breed, they have the same flat face, but much less grooming requirements. These cats have compact bodies, round faces, large eyes, and tiny ears that give them the look of real-life teddy bears.
These calm and sweet cats will politely seek the attention of people they like. While they enjoy the company of their owners, they are not known to be clingy and will seek some alone time.
The thick and fluffy short coat of the Exotic Shorthair requires only a once-weekly brushing to keep it in tip-top shape. Their flat faces bring the same risks as the Persian's (breathing trouble, tear staining, dental problems), and they share the Persian's risk of PKD.
Japanese Bobtail
Breed size: Medium
Weight: 5 to 10 lbs
Temperament: Active, friendly, intelligent
Grooming requirements: Low
One of the oldest natural cat breeds, the Japanese Bobtail has lived in Japan for at least 1,000 years, probably arriving from China or Korea, and appears in old Japanese prints and paintings.
Their distinctive bobbed tail is unique not only to the breed but to each individual cat. No two tails are alike. The CFA breed standard states that the furthest extension of the tailbone from the body should be no longer than 3 inches.
The Japanese Bobtail comes in shorthair and longhair varieties. Both varieties are single-coated and do not have high grooming requirements. Shorthairs are low -maintenance. The long hair variety, however, will benefit from a twice-weekly brushing or combing.
These cats love to carry things in their mouths. They are highly intelligent and athletic. They are known to have the case of zoomies from time to time. Japanese Bobtails enjoy jumping hurdles as well. Fetch is a particularly enjoyable game for them.
Like any active cat, they do best on a complete, meat-based cat food fed in measured portions. Ask your vet if you are unsure how much to feed.
Takeaway
In the end, these ten fluffy cat breeds prove one delightful truth: more fur simply means more personality to love.
Whether they’re majestic, mischievous, or professional couch royalty, each breed brings its own brand of floof-powered charm.
Choose your favorite—or don’t—and accept the inevitable: once you fall for fluffy cats, you’ll be measuring happiness in hairs per sweater. 😼
Want more long coats to choose from? See our list of long-haired cat breeds, with grooming tips for each.
Sources
- Breed profiles, The Cat Fanciers' Association
- What are the animal welfare problems associated with Scottish Fold cats?, RSPCA Australia
- Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia, UFAW Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals
